OMICRON DETECTED IN 12 ARRIVALS FROM EUROPE

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Stricter adherence to precautions key

KUWAIT CITY, Dec 22, (Agencies): The main committee for observing adherence to anti-covid precautions on Wednesday called for firm compliance with the measures against the virus in Kuwait. There was some slackness in applying the measures against COVID-19 over the past days, leading to mounting casualties due to infection with the contagion, said Dr. Ahmad Al-Mutawaa, a commission member and director of epidemic prevention at the Ministry of Health (MoH). He was speaking to KUNA as he emerged from a meeting of the committee, headed by the deputy chairperson and Kuwait Municipality Director General Ahmad Al-Manfouhi.

Participants in the meeting affirmed necessity that the commission-affiliated field teams carry out tighter inspection of the shopping malls, stores and various other businesses, Dr. Al-Mutawaa said. He said unvaccinated people must not be allowed to enter the malls, called for putting on the protective masks correctly, covering the mouth and the nose, in closed places, sterilizing the hands and maintaining social distancing. Dr. Al-Mutawaa re-affirmed that arriving travellers must operate the application “shlonik,” quarantine themselves at home for 72 hours, noting that the quarantined can relieve themselves of the isolation once they get a negative-result PCR. The official spokesman for the Kuwaiti Ministry of Health, Dr. Abdullah Al-Sanad, announced on Wednesday the detection of 12 new cases of the Omicron mutant of the Coronavirus in Kuwait, coming from several European destinations.

Isolation
Dr. Al-Sanad said in a press statement that all cases have been subjected to sanitary isolation, all preventive and health measures and all epidemiological investigation measures have been taken. He stressed the need for the application of quarantine for those coming from outside the country to preserve the health and safety of the citizens and residents in Kuwait. Dr. Al-Sanad also stressed the need to postpone travel at present and limit it to cases of necessity to ensure the highest level of protection and prevention, wishing safety for all.

The health-related decisions taken by the government in an extraordinary meeting held recently raised questions on what might happen if the new variant of Coronavirus – Omicron — spreads in the country, reports Al-Qabas daily. Speaking to the daily, sources from the government affirmed there is no plan to close commercial facilities in case the new variant spreads due to the availability of vaccines, high vaccination rate and strict enforcement of health regulations. Sources also clarified that measures will be taken if Omicron spreads, most notably reducing the number of employees reporting for work or implement the remote work system and online education once again; while no one will be allowed to enter closed places without a mask.

Discovery
Sources added it is possible that Omicron will spread in Kuwait, considering the discovery of such cases in neighboring countries; so everyone must fully abide by the health regulations and take the booster dose of the Corona vaccine as it has been proven that it provides 98 percent protection from the virus. Kuwait Medical Association (KMA) has asked the Cabinet and Ministerial Committee for Corona Emergencies to exclude the medical personnel from the required 72- hour quarantine before taking the PCR test for those returning to the country, taking into consideration their important work in health facilities, reports Al-Rai daily.

KMA argued that requiring returning medical staff to undergo quarantine will increase the burden on the health system and affect the quality of medical care. It then expressed gratitude to the Cabinet and committee for their relentless efforts in dealing with the pandemic as an urgent matter. The Cabinet’s decision, according to which those who have not taken the booster shot will not be considered as fully immunized especially after completing nine months since taking the two basic doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, has resulted in a boost in the turnout of the public to vaccination centers, especially the main vaccination center in the Mishref fairgrounds, reports Al-Qabas daily.

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